Digital Story Generation

ABSTRACT

A digital story includes textual, visual, and/or audio aspects. Generation of a new digital story and/or editing of an existing digital story can include, for instance, coordinating presentation of textual, visual, and/or audio aspects of the digital story. A digital story can be viewed and/or accessed by a user remote from one or more authors of the digital story.

Storytelling can be a way to communicate history, to entertain, toeducate, and to bond with other people. Over time, people havecommunicated storytelling in various mediums. Books are a common mediumfor storytelling. Graphic novels are another medium used forstorytelling.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to digital stories.Generally, systems and methods disclosed herein generate and/or edit adigital story. Presentation of a digital story can include coordinationof various aspects, such as visual, audio, and textual components of thedigital story.

In one aspect, a digital story editing system is disclosed. The exampledigital story editing system includes at least one processor and memory.The memory encodes computer executable instructions that, when executedby at least one processor, cause the digital story editing system to:receive a digital story, where the digital story includes a plurality ofcontent pages; provide a sound effect module programmed to receive adigital sound effect file; provide a soundtrack module programmed toreceive a digital music file; provide a timeline module programmed toprovide controls for playback of the digital sound effect file and/orthe digital music file; provide a face replacement module programmed toreceive a digital image file and selectably replace a character facewith at least a portion of the digital image file; provide a page ordermanagement module programmed to arrange the plurality of content pagesin a given order; provide a sharing module programmed to enablecollaboration and viewing between remote parties; and provide a pacingmodule programmed to control an amount of time each of the plurality ofcontent pages are displayed during a presentation of the digital story.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages of these embodiments will be apparent from the description,drawings, and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application,are illustrative of described technology and are not meant to limit thescope of the disclosure in any manner.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example digital story environment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of example modules included in an exampledigital story application used in the environment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example interface provided by the example digitalstory application of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example interface provided by the exampledigital story application of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example interface provided by the exampledigital story application of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows an example method for generating a digital story using theexample digital story environment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows example operations performed during the modified digitalstory generation operation of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows example physical components of a computing device of thedigital story environment shown in FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

Broadly, the present disclosure is directed to digital stories. Systemsand methods of this disclosure are directed towards digital storygeneration and/or digital story editing.

In an exemplary implementation, a user accesses a digital story using acomputing device hosting a digital story application. The digital storyincludes one or more pages, where each page includes textual, visual,and/or audio aspects. Examples of these aspects include, withoutlimitation, drawings, photographs, animations, videos, musical tracks,dialogue, and sound effects. The digital story application can enable auser to advance page by page or the digital story application cancoordinate presentation of each page in the digital story. Digital storypresentation in a viewer can include coordination of presentation of thetextual, visual, and/or audio aspects of each page. Resulting digitalstories can be shared and accessed by viewers remote from the user (orusers) who generated the digital story. These and other aspects aredescribed in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 shows example digital story environment 100. Example digitalstory environment 100 includes device 102, server 106, and device 108.User U interacts with digital story application 104 accessible viadevice 102. Viewer V accesses digital story application 104 via device108. Server 106, including digital story database 112, is incommunication with device 102 and device 108 via network 110. Otherembodiments can include more or fewer components.

Example digital story environment 100 enables content editing andgeneration by user U, which is in turn viewed by viewer V. Broadly,content generated and/or edited in example system 100 includes varioustypes of written and/or pictorial communication. For instance, contentcan include literature that can be expressed in visual form. In variousembodiments, content edited and generated by digital story environment100 includes, for example and without limitation, graphic novels, bookssuch as children's books and young adult books, comic books, andgreeting cards. For discussion purposes only, content edited and/orgenerated by digital story environment 100 will be referred to herein as“a digital story” or “digital stories.”

User U generates and/or modifies a digital story using digital storyapplication 104. User U is a person who generates original contentand/or edits previously created content. As examples, user U can be anoriginal author, a fan of the subject and/or author, a celebrity, aparent, a sibling, etc.

Viewer V views the digital story generated by user U via digital storyapplication 104. Viewer V may or may not be familiar with user U. Forinstance, viewer V may be a fan of user U. As another example viewer Vcan be a family member of user U. As another example, viewer V may be astudent viewing digital content created by user U as part of courseworkand/or classroom activities.

Digital story application 104 enables digital story content generationand editing. Digital story application 104 also enables sharing ofdigital stories generated/edited by digital story application 104.Digital story application 104 can be stored and accessed in variousways. For instance, digital story application 104 can be stored inmemory devices of device 102 and device 108 or stored on server 106 andaccessed remotely. Additional functionalities and components of digitalstory application 104 are discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.

Typically, digital story application 104 accesses a digital story bycommunicating with server 106 over network 110, where server 106 is incommunication with digital story database 112. In some implementations,digital story application 104 interfaces with another application suchthat digital story generation, editing, and/or viewing occurs withinthat other application. For example, digital story application 104 is aplug-in or add-in for another application. In other instances, digitalstory application 104 is a stand-alone application or executableapplication file.

Device 102 and device 108 include some or all of the computingcomponents shown in, and described with reference to, FIG. 8. Forexample, device 102 and/or device 108 can be: a general computingdevice, a tablet computing device, a smartphone, a wearable computingdevice (such as an augmented reality device), a mobile computing device,or other similar device.

Server 106 communicates with, and provides various functionalities of,digital story application 104. In some instances, server 106 hostsdigital story database 112. Digital story database 112 includes one ormore data stores for digital stories generated by user U (as well as anyother users). In turn, device 108 can access the digital story generatedby user U by communicating with server 106 and/or digital story database112.

As mentioned, device 102 and device 108 communicate with the server 106over network 110. Network 110 is a data communication network thatfacilitates data communication between two or more of device 102, server106, and device 108. Network 110 may be any type of wired or wirelessnetwork, for example, the Internet, cellular, an intranet, a wide areanetwork (WAN), a local area network (LAN), Bluetooth, and a virtualprivate network (VPN).

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of example modules included in digitalstory application 104. The example modules provide variousfunctionalities of digital story application 104, including creatingand/or editing digital stories. Other implementations can include moreor fewer components.

Timeline module 202 enables coordination of various playback aspectsduring display of a page or pages of a digital story. In some instances,timeline module 202 causes display on a display screen of one or moretimelines as it relates to a given page. That is, a page having visualsand/or text can have a timeline component as well, where that timelinecomponent shows one or more timing sequences.

For example, timeline module 202 can track, coordinate, and/or displaytiming sequencing of visuals, sound effects, voice and/or dialogue,soundtrack audio, performance components, and other functionalitiescontemplated herein. In some embodiments, timeline module 202 can showtimelines in absolute scale; that is, starting at zero seconds andextending until the user has decided to stop playback or presentation ofthe particular page. In some embodiments, timeline module 202 showsrelative timing of the various sound components to be presented with thepage (e.g. sound effects, soundtrack, voice, etc.).

Performance module 204 can receive and present various types of audioand/or visual performances. For example, performance module 204 canreceive and record a user reading text (the text typically beingdisplayed on the page), as well as comments made by a user about thepage. It will be understood that a user can include one or moredifferent people, for example, a group of people performing differentcharacters in a story.

In some embodiments, performance module 204 enables collaboration and/orbroadcasting of real time recordings of visual or audio material. Insome instances, performance module 204 enables a user to capture,import, and/or utilize motion and performance capture, which can bedisplayed within the digital story. Presentation of various aspectscaptured and managed by performance module 204 can by synchronized withother aspects, such as voice, sound, and music.

Sound effect module 206 enables sound effect recording and/or soundeffect replacement functionalities. Sound effect module 206 can includea data store of various types of sound effects usable by a usergenerating or editing a digital story. Sound effect module 206 candisplay all of the original sound effects on a timeline and enablemanipulation of those sound effects, specifically the timing and/or typeof sound effect. Sound effect module 206 also enables replacement ofsound effect tracks on the timeline. Sound effect module 206 can alsoenable recording of new sounds, for example, by interfacing with one ormore microphone devices. Additionally, sound effect module 206 canaccess and/or import media files from external locations to supplementavailable sound effect options.

Soundtrack module 208 enables management of digital music tracks.Example soundtrack management operations provided by soundtrack module208 include adding, moving, replacing, and/or deleting digital musicfiles within a soundtrack timeline. Soundtrack module 208 can interfacewith one or more external music services to access and/or play parts orall of various digital audio tracks. Example third party music streamingapplications include, but are not limited to, Spotify, iTunes, Napster,and Tidal. In some instances, soundtrack module 208 can enable recordingfrom a phone, computing device, tablet, or other musical recordingdevice, such that the user can record their own musical track and use itduring playback of the digital story.

Face replacement module 210 enables replacement and/or integration offaces from photographs accessible by a user with one or more characterfaces depicted in the digital story. In some implementations, facereplacement module 210 is configured to use various infrared and/orthree dimensional imaging technology to capture facial features andapply those facial features to one or more characters in the story. Insome embodiments, face replacement module 210 can adjust the facialfeatures to the artistic style of the particular artwork in the digitalstory. Face replacement module 210 can interface with various cameradevices hosted by device 102 or 108. In some instances, face replacementmodule 210 can access previously captured images, identify a face, anduse those facial features when replacing faces in the digital story.

Page order management module 212 enables a user to rearrange drawings,images, and pages of the digital story. That is, drawings, images, andpages in the digital story can be rearranged in any order preferred bythe user.

Pacing module 214 controls playback of the digital story. Broadly,pacing module 214 controls the rate at which pages of a story are viewedbased on the user's preferences. Pacing module 214 can coordinate withtimeline module 202 such that upon completion of playing audio and/orvisual components related to a particular page, a next page is displayedfor viewing.

Pacing module 214 can also include transition between the pages of thedigital story. For example, pacing module 214 can provide various audioand/or visual transitional effects between pages, such as wipe, fadein/fade out, defocus, cut, etc. Pacing module 214 can also synchronizeretrieval and/or queuing of audio and graphical files for a next page tobe display.

Sharing module 216 enables digital story content generated and/or editedby the user to be shared with viewer V via network 110. In someinstances, sharing module 216 enables collaboration across network 110,such that users in different locations can collaborate on the digitalcontent. Digital stories generated and/or edited by digital storyapplication 104 can be shared and/or exported as various file types,such as video files, that can be played within digital story application104, within a third party application that digital story application 104is a plugin for, and/or a separate video viewer. In some instances,sharing module 216 can enable sharing links and/or videos via varioussocial media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and thelike.

Photo integration module 218 enables texture mapping and/or replacementof backgrounds and surfaces with digital image files. For instance,photo integration module 218 can access digital image files storedlocally or remotely, and replace a background with a user's photos,models, animations, and other digital renderings.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example interface 300 generated by digital storyapplication 104. The example interface 300 can be displayed on a varietyof computing devices, as noted above. Some functionalities may bemodified for mobile computing devices having smaller display screens.Other embodiments can include more or fewer components.

Generally, interface 300 enables a user to edit and generate one or morepages of a digital story. Interface 300 enables a user to view visualcontent and coordinate one or more audio components relating to a givenpage of a digital story. Interface 300 can also enable a user to viewmultiple pages simultaneously, reorder the pages, and/or managetransitions between pages. In some instances, interface 300 is loadedfrom previous work performed by a different author. Thereby, a user canmodify and build upon work performed by others.

Example interface 300 includes story frame 302. Story frame 302 depicts,generally, what would appear on a page of a book. Typically, story frame302 shows a single page of a digital story at a time. It will beappreciated that embodiments where the digital story is another form ofcommunication, such as a greeting card, story frame 302 would correspondto one or more pages of that medium.

Within story frame 302 one or more visual aspects 304 are displayed.Within story frame 302 one or more textual aspects 306 can also bedisplayed. In some instances, story frame 302 enables the user to adjustthe configuration and/or sizing of visual aspects 304 and/or textualaspects 306. In some instances, story frame 302 can include captionsshowing words that were spoken in one or more audio tracks transcribedfor display on a screen.

Example interface 300 also includes timeline 308. Timeline 308 enablesconfiguration of audio for the particular page shown in the interface300. Using the timeline, and/or one or more other functionalitiesprovided by digital story application 104, a user can insert new audioaspects, remove audio aspects, and change the timing and/or relativepositioning of various audio aspects. Timeline 308 also enables the userto adjust pacing of a particular page.

Included in timeline 308 is elapsed time bar 310. Elapsed time bar 310shows a scale starting at zero seconds and provides an indication ofwhen various audio aspects play during playback of the particular page.Timeline 308 also can include visual track 312. Visual track 312 showstiming of the appearance or disappearance of various visual aspects instory frame 302. In some instances, aspects in visual track 312 areanimated or recorded videos.

Timeline 308 can also include dialogue track 314. Dialogue track 314shows relative timing of dialogue relating to story frame 302. Forinstance, dialogue track 314 can show timing of when a reader's voicewill play during playback of story frame 302. A user can utilizedialogue track 314 to adjust spacing between playback of variousdialogue files.

Example timeline 308 can also include music track 316. Music track 316shows what type of music and at what time it is played during playbackof the page. Music track 316 enables a user to select various parts, orall, of a music track. Music track 316 can also display metadatarelating to the musical track, such as an artist name, a song title,and/or an album name.

Timeline 308 can also include sound effects track 318. Sound effectstrack 318 enables a user to manipulate the timing of various soundeffects during playback of story frame 302. Sound effects track 318 canalso include labels of soundtracks, such as file names or descriptionsof the sound effect.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example editing interface 400. Example editinginterface 400 can be shown at the same time as example interface 300. Inother instances example interface 400 appears as a separate interfacefrom interface 300.

Example editing interface 400 includes tumbler 402. Tumbler 402,broadly, is a graphical representation of various tracks for aparticular page of a digital story. In some instances, tumbler 402 canbe depicted as a rotatable polyhedron, where a number of faces of thepolyhedron corresponds to the number of distinct timelines for the givenpage in the digital story. At any given time during display of tumbler402, one or more timelines can be simultaneously displayed. As shown,three sides of tumbler 402 are displayed. However, in other instancesmore or fewer timelines can be simultaneously displayed.

Example editing interface 400 includes three timelines: picture timeline404, dialogue timeline 408, and music timeline 412. Additional timelinesmay be present for this particular example page of the digital story.However, any additional timelines are hidden by the sides of thepolyhedron that are currently visible to the user.

Picture timeline 404 includes one or more picture thumbnails 406.Picture thumbnails 406 are shown on the timeline corresponding to wheneach picture is displayed during playback of the given page.

Dialogue timeline 408 includes one or more dialogue waveforms 410.Dialogue waveform 410 can be a schematic representation of a genericwaveform or, an accurate rendering of a waveform corresponding to thedialogue track. Dialogue timeline 408 enables a user to control playbacktiming and length of each dialogue track.

Music timeline 412 includes one or more music wave forms 414. Musictimeline 412 enables the user to manipulate relative timing and otherplayback aspects of each audio file. In some instances, music timeline412 can include transitional effect indicator 416. Transitional effectindicator 416 can indicate that some transition is applied betweendifferent audio tracks. In some instances, transitional effect indicator416 can also indicate a type of transitional effect, such as fade ordissolve.

FIG. 5 illustrates example interface 500. Example interface 500 can bedisplayed along with, or separately from, example interfaces 300 and/or400. Example interface 500 enables selection of, or recording of,various attributes of the page of the digital story. For instance,interface 500 enables selection of various digital files correspondingto dialog, music, sound effects, and photographs. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that similar designs for other modules and/or timelineswould be included. Dialogue and music timelines are shown in interface500 for explanatory purposes and not as a limitation of what can beincluded in interface 500.

Example interface 500 includes dialogue timeline 502 and music timeline514. Dialogue timeline 502 includes one or more dialogue parts 504. Asshown, three dialogue parts 504 in dialogue timeline 502 correspond tothree distinct and/or separate dialogue audio files that can be playedfor a particular page in the digital story.

Dialogue part 504 includes various tools for selecting digital filescorresponding to dialog. In some instances, dialogue part 504 includestranscribed dialogue text 506. Dialogue part 504 can also includeprerecorded selector 508. Prerecorded selector 508 enables a user toselect a file stored locally or remotely that has dialog. Dialogue part504 can also include record new track selector 510. Record new trackselector 510, when selected, can initiate recording of a new dialoguetrack. Dialogue part 504 can also include upload selector 512. Uploadselector 512 enables a user to upload recorded dialogue tracks to remotestorage for later retrieval.

Music timeline 514 includes one or more music parts 516. Each music part516 enables the user to select digital files for playback for aparticular page of the digital story. Music part 516 can includestreaming service indicator 518. Streaming service indicator 518 caninclude a logo for a particular streaming service, such as a Spotify,Napster, or iTunes logo. Music part 516 can also include track nameindicator 520. Track name indicator 520 can include data about aselected digital file, such as artist name, song title, and/or filename.

Music part 516 can include record track 522. Record track 522 initiatesrecording of an audio file that can be used for music during playback ofthe page of the digital story. Music part 516 can also include uploadselector 524. Upload selector 524 enables a user to link to a remotefile and/or upload recorded content.

FIG. 6 shows example method 600 for generating a digital story. Examplemethod 600 includes accessing a digital story (operation 602),generating a modified digital story (operation 610), and transmittingthe modified digital story (operation 680). Although example method 600is described in terms of editing an existing digital story, it will beappreciated that various principles and operations described belowregarding example method 600 can be applied to generating a new digitalstory. Other embodiments can include more or fewer operations.

Example method 600 begins by accessing a digital story (operation 602).Accessing the digital story (operation 602) can include communicatingwith local and/or remote storage to access the digital story one and/orfiles associated with the digital story. For example, accessing digitalstory (operation 602) can include communicating with a remote server andrequesting the digital story from a digital story database. Typically,the digital story will include one or more pages, where each page hasvisual and/or textual aspects, along with one or more audio components.Accessing the digital story (operation 602) can also include populatingan interface with each aspect of the digital story (the visuals, textualaspects, and audio aspects).

Next, a modified digital story is generated (operation 610) afterreceiving one or more inputs from a user. Referring now to FIG. 7,various operations that can be included in generating the modifieddigital story (610) are shown. Operations shown in FIG. 7 can beperformed in a different order than that shown.

Broadly, generating a modified digital story (operation 610) can begrouped into one or more obtaining actions (operation group 611) and oneor more modification actions (operation group 619). Operation group 611typically involves obtaining pre-recorded or pre-existing files.Operation group 611 can also include obtaining live performances andrecording them and generating new files, as well as capturingphotographs and storing digital files of the photographs. Operationgroup 619 generally involves adjustments made to the page in the digitalstory, between playback of the pages in the digital story, and/or thetiming of digital or audio aspects of the page playback.

Generating a modified digital story (operation 610) can includeobtaining dialogue (operation 612). Obtaining dialogue (operation 612)can include accessing a digital audio file and/or receiving a recordingof one or more dialogue tracks. Obtaining dialogue (operation 612) canalso include communicating with one or more microphone devices to recorddialogue from a user.

Obtaining sound effects (operation 614) can include accessingpre-recorded sound effects and/or interfacing with microphone devices torecord and generate new sound files. Obtaining music (operation 616) caninclude accessing locally or remotely stored files of digital audiotracks. Obtaining music (operation 616) can also include determiningcommunications through application programming interfaces with thirdparty streaming applications. Obtaining pictures (operation 618) caninclude accessing locally or remotely stored photographs. Obtainingpictures (operation 618) can also include capturing one or morephotographs with a camera device and saving one or more digital imagefiles.

Transposing faces (operation 620) can include replacing faces selectedby a user in one or more photographs with one or more faces identifiedby a user as characters in the story (or images in the story).Transposing faces (operation 620) can also include adjusting the faceidentified by the user to match artistic qualities of the faces in theimages of the digital story.

Adjusting sound playback timing (operation 622) includes receivingindications from a user via a graphical user interface to adjust one ormore of soundtrack, sound effect, dialog, and other audio aspects, andtheir timing during playback of the page of the digital story. Replacingphotographs (operation 624) can include inserting and/or replacingbackground photographs for particular pages in the digital story.

Referring again to FIG. 6, after generating the modified digital story(operation 610), the modified digital story is transmitted (operation680). Generally, transmitting the modified digital story (operation 680)involves communicating the modified digital story to another computingdevice for subsequent accessing, viewing, and/or editing. Accordingly,transmitting the modified digital story (operation 680) can include, forinstance, communicating with a remote server and/or a database hosted bya remote server. Transmitting the modified digital story (operation 680)can also include sending a link to the modified digital story.

FIG. 8 shows example computing device 801 used in example digital storyenvironment 100. For instance, some or all components of examplecomputing device 801 are found in device 102, server 106, and/or device108. Device 102 and device 108 include mass storage device 814 hostingone or modules of digital story application 104. Digital storyapplication 104 is capable of performing one or more operationsdescribed herein, such as example process 600.

As illustrated, the example computing device 801 includes at least onecentral processing unit (“CPU”) 802, memory 803, and a system bus 822that couples memory 803 to the CPU 802. Memory 803 includes systemmemory 808 and mass storage device 814. System memory 808 includes arandom access memory (“RAM”) 810 and a read-only memory (“ROM”) 812. Abasic input/output system that contains the basic routines that help totransfer information between elements within the example computingdevice 801, such as during startup, is stored in the ROM 812. Memory 803further includes mass storage device 814. Mass storage device 814 isable to store software applications 816 and data.

Mass storage device 814 is connected to CPU 802 through a mass storagecontroller (not shown) connected to the system bus 822. Mass storagedevice 814 and its associated computer-readable data storage mediaprovide non-volatile, non-transitory storage for the example computingdevice 801. Although the description of computer-readable data storagemedia contained herein refers to a mass storage device, such as a harddisk or solid state disk, it should be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that computer-readable data storage media can be any availablenon-transitory, physical device, or article of manufacture from which acomputing device can read data and/or instructions.

Computer-readable data storage media include volatile and non-volatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer-readable softwareinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Exampletypes of computer-readable data storage media include, but are notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-statememory technology, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (“DVDs”), otheroptical storage media, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe example computing device 801.

According to various embodiments, the example computing device 801 mayoperate in a networked environment using logical connections to remotenetwork devices through the network 110, such as a wireless network, theInternet, or another type of network. The example computing device 801may connect to the network 110 through a network interface unit 804connected to the system bus 822. The network 110 may be a protectednetwork, as discussed above. It should be appreciated that the networkinterface unit 804 may also be utilized to connect to other types ofnetworks and remote computing systems. The example computing device 801also includes an input/output controller 806 for receiving andprocessing input from a number of other devices, including a touch userinterface display screen, or another type of input device. Similarly,the input/output controller 806 may provide output to a touch userinterface display screen or other type of output device.

As mentioned briefly above, the mass storage device 814 and the RAM 810of the example computing device 801 can store software instructions anddata. The software instructions include an operating system 818 suitablefor controlling the operation of the example computing device 801. Themass storage device 814 and/or the RAM 810 also store softwareapplications 816, that when executed by the CPU 802, cause the examplecomputing device 801 to provide the functionality of the examplecomputing device 801 discussed in this document. For example, the massstorage device 814 and/or the RAM 810 can store software instructionsthat, when executed by the CPU 802, cause the example computing device801 to display a digital story application interface on the displayscreen of the example computing device 801.

Prophetic Examples

In a first prophetic example, a digital story environment is used inlearning to read and/or learning a language contexts, particularly as ateaching aid. A digital story application provided by the digital storyenvironment accesses a digital story from a digital story database. Thenthe digital story application synchronizes audio file playback with textdisplay on each page. The audio file playback includes a dialogue track,where a reader reads text displayed on a given page. A user can select acontrol provided by the digital story application to repeat some or allof the dialogue track. In this way, the user can learn or re-hearpronunciation of a particular word. Coordination of audio file playbackand highlighting of text on the display is also provided. For instance,the digital story application highlights each word shown in text on thescreen as that word is read in the corresponding dialogue track.

In a second prophetic example, a digital story environment is used toenable a first remote party to read to a different, second remote party.Possible implementations of the second prophetic example include aparent reading to a child, where the parent and child are in differentlocations, such as a parent on military duty stationed away from homeand a parent working remotely from their family. The first party choosesa digital story, such as a children's book, from a digital storydatabase. Then the first party uses the digital story application torecord him/herself reading the story. In some instances, the first partycan also initiate video recording of him/herself reading the story. Thefirst party can also add music and sound effects in addition to anymusic or sound effects that are already part of the digital story. Next,the first party shares the modified digital story with the second party,using email, social media, a subscription service, or the like. Then thesecond party, or a guardian of the second party, accesses the modifieddigital story and plays the reading for the second party. As the secondparty views playback of the digital story, the second party can opt toview a video of the first party reading the story. The video can bedisplayed in a corner portion of the interface showing the digitalstory.

In a third prophetic example, a digital story environment is used in aneducational environment, particularly related to school environments. Inthe third prophetic example, a teacher would like to teach Shakespeare'sTaming of the Shrew. The teacher assigns character roles to variousstudents in the class using the digital story application. Each studentaccesses a digital story created for the class using a digital storyapplication. Then each student reads and records performance of theirpart using the digital story application. Some students choose toincorporate music and/or sound effects to their performance. Eachstudent's contribution is compiled into the digital story, which canthen be shared via social media, email, etc., and viewed remotely, suchas in the classroom. In some instances, third parties, such as anEnglish class in a different state, can view, review, and rate eachclasses' performance, sometimes as part of a competition or fundraiser.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A digital story editing system, comprising: atleast one processor; memory encoding computer executable instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the digitalstory editing system to: receive a digital story, the digital storyincluding a plurality of content pages; provide a performance moduleprogrammed to receive dialogue; provide a page order management moduleprogrammed to arrange the plurality of content pages in a given order;provide a computer readable storage unit to save at least one of theplurality of content pages and dialog; provide a user interfaceprogrammed to edit the plurality of content pages and the dialogue savedon the computer readable storage unit; and provide a sharing moduleprogrammed to transmit the digital story modified with at least one ofthe performance module, the page order management module, and the userinterface.
 22. The digital story editing system of claim 21, wherein theplurality of content pages includes written text.
 23. The digital storyediting system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of content pagesincludes both visual and textual components.
 24. The digital storyediting system of claim 21, wherein the dialogue is a digital audiofile.
 25. The digital story editing system of claim 24, wherein thedigital audio file is a recording.
 26. The digital story editing systemof claim 21, wherein the dialogue is received by communicating with oneor more microphone devices to record dialog from a user.
 27. The digitalstory editing system of claim 26, wherein a user interface module isprogrammed to transpose a face displayed on at least one of theplurality of content pages with one or more faces selected by the user.28. The digital story editing system of claim 21, wherein the memoryencodes further computer executable instructions that, when executed bythe at least one processor, cause the digital story editing system toprovide a sound effect module programmed to receive a digital soundeffect file.
 29. The digital story editing system of claim 21, whereinthe memory encodes further computer executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the digital story editingsystem to provide a soundtrack module programmed to receive a digitalmusic file.
 30. The digital story editing system of claim 29, whereinthe memory encodes further computer executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the digital story editingsystem to cause the soundtrack module to add, move, and replace digitalmusic files.
 31. The digital story editing system of claim 21, whereinthe memory encodes further computer executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the digital story editingsystem to provide a timeline module programmed to provide controls forplayback of a digital sound effect file or a digital music file.
 32. Thedigital story editing system of claim 21, wherein the sharing moduleenables collaboration and viewing between two or more parties.
 33. Thedigital story editing system of claim 21, wherein the memory encodesfurther computer executable instructions that, when executed by the atleast one processor, cause the digital story editing system to cause thesharing module to allow sharing of content on social media.
 34. Thedigital story editing system of claim 21, wherein a user interfacemodule is programmed to synchronize the dialogue with a text displayedon at least one of the plurality of content pages.
 35. The digital storyediting system of claim 21, wherein the digital story modified with thepage order management module is transmitted to another computing devicefor at least one of the following: accessing, viewing, and/or editing.36. The digital story editing system of claim 21, wherein the digitalstory modified with the page order management module is uploaded toremote storage.
 37. A digital story transmission system, comprising: atleast one processor; memory encoding computer executable instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the digitalstory transmission system to: provide a playback module that transmits adigital story, the digital story including a plurality of content pageswith content; provide a dialogue module programmed to input a dialogue;provide a control module that permits a user to reverse the playbackmodule to permit the user to replay a portion of the dialogue or replaya portion of the plurality of content pages; provide a page ordermanagement module programmed to arrange the plurality of content pagesin a given order; provide a computer readable storage unit to save atleast one of the plurality of content pages and dialog; provide a userinterface module programmed to edit the plurality of content pages andthe dialogue saved on the computer readable storage unit; and provide atransmission module programmed to transmit the digital story modifiedwith at least one of the dialogue module, the page order managementmodule, and the user interface module.
 38. A method of creating adigital story, the method comprising: receiving the digital story, thedigital story including a plurality of pages; providing a page ordermanagement module programmed to arrange a plurality of content pages ina given order; providing a computer readable storage unit to save atleast one of the plurality of content pages and dialog; providing a userinterface programmed to edit the plurality of content pages and dialoguesaved on the computer readable storage unit; and providing a sharingmodule programmed to transmit the digital story modified with at leastone of the page order management module and the user interface.
 39. Themethod of claim 38, further comprising providing a pacing moduleprogrammed to control an amount of time each of the plurality of contentpages are displayed during a presentation of the digital story.
 40. Themethod of claim 38, further comprising providing a sharing moduleprogram that enables another computing device for at least one of thefollowing: accessing, viewing, and/or editing the digital story.